IN A bitter escalation of identity politics, Australia’s pro-republic movement has appealed to Muslims and Catholics to turn against Queen Elizabeth because of her Christian faith. 

Straight out of Labor’s failed 2019 election handbook, republican agitators are attempting to divide Australians on cultural and demographic differences. 

Their latest campaign states: “Are you Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, atheist? You’re banned from being Australia’s head of state (it’s only for those of the Church of England). Why are you putting up with discrimination?” 

Monarchists and pro-republic supporters alike have described the campaign as a dishonest attempt to demonise the Queen and her family over nothing more than their faith.

The National Chair of the Australian Monarchist League, Mr Philip Benwell, said the divisive campaign was inflammatory, fundamentally wrong and a desperate grab for attention by an increasingly irrelevant movement.

DESPERATE

“The republicans are becoming more and more divisive and perhaps desperate to gain attention,” Mr Benwell said. 

“We prefer to ignore their rantings but we are on top of these manoeuvrings and are ready to act.

“As we all know, upon appointment, the Governor-General becomes executive head of state and any Australian can aspire to that role whatever their race or religion.”

Australia has had Jews, Catholics and an atheist in the Governor-General’s office, Mr Benwell said. [Former atheist Bill Hayden converted to Christianity after leaving office.]

“There is every likelihood we will have persons of other faiths in that office in the future,” he added. “Therefore, the advertisement, like most of their propaganda, is actually promoting misinformation.”

WRONG

The campaign was also criticised by self-confessed republicans on social media. Twitter’s @billus said: “While I’m a republican, I find this disingenuous… Sorry, but a little bit wrong… Isaac Isaacs?, Zelman Cowan? Both Jewish. If you want people to support your cause, be more honest.”